Define Assault: Jose Offerman Isn't the Only Guilty One

Jose Offerman had a decent big league career, going to two All-Star games in 15 years. But what he did in the low minors will define him forever.

Offerman last played in the majors with the New York Mets in 2005. Now, he's attempting a comeback with the Class A Independent League Long Island Ducks.

On Tuesday, that comeback hit a snag.

Nathans suffered a concussion; Beech, a broken finger. Offerman has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault.

But here's my question: Why is a pitcher who intentionally hits a batter with a 90-plus-mph heater immune from prosecution?

Ponder that before you condemn Jose Offerman.

How would you respond? Most of us would just have at the pitcher with our bare hands—but isn't it only fair to meet one deadly weapon with another?

I'm not condoning Offerman's actions, but I think it's a legitimate question. How would you feel if you took a pitcher deep and he responded by trying to maim you with a pitch?

Offerman crossed the line, there's no doubt about that. Still, what makes an assault an assault? Should every pitcher who intentionally beans a batter be charged with assault? What else is a 90-mph purpose pitch?

I say we look at the big picture before we start charging people with crimes. If one action is an assault, then both are.